A label application machine

Abstract

The specification relates to a labelling machine configured to apply a label on an object. The labelling machine comprising: an arm mechanism; a label pad attached to a first end of said arm mechanism; an actuator connected to a first end of said arm mechanism to provide rotational movement; a control system configured to control the movement and position of said arm mechanism and the label pad; and an air flow generator. The labelling machine further comprises a drive shaft connected to said actuator and configured to be rotated about the drive shaft's longitudinal axis; a second end of the arm mechanism is connected to said drive shaft, such that the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft and the arm mechanism are perpendicular to one another; and an air flow channel extends from the air flow generator via the drive shaft, through the arm mechanism to the label pad.

1 . A labelling machine configured to apply a label on an object, the labelling machine comprising:
 an arm mechanism;   a label pad configured to temporarily retain a label, said label pad being attached to a first end of said arm mechanism;   an actuator connected to a first end of said arm mechanism to provide rotational movement of said arm mechanism;   a control system configured to control the movement and position of said arm mechanism and the label pad; and   an air flow generator;   
       wherein:
 the labelling machine further comprises a drive shaft connected to said actuator and configured to be rotated about a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft; 
 a second end of the arm mechanism is connected to said drive shaft, such that the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft and the arm mechanism are perpendicular to one another; and 
 an air flow channel extends from the air flow generator via the drive shaft, through the arm mechanism to the label pad. 
 
     
     
         2 . The labelling machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing accommodating the air flow generator. 
     
     
         3 . The labelling machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the housing accommodates the actuator and the drive shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The labelling machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said arm mechanism includes an adjustable length arm, to enable variation in a radius of rotation of the arm mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The labelling machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is connected to the arm mechanism to enable rotation of the arm mechanism along a longitudinal axis of the arm mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The labelling machine according to  claim 5 , wherein a transmission is provided between the actuator and the arm mechanism, said transmission being configured to rotate the arm mechanism along the longitudinal axis of the arm mechanism when the actuator actuates the drive shaft to rotate the arm mechanism about the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The labelling machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the transmission comprises a first guide wheel, a second guide wheel, a guide shaft, a first guide track and a second guide track. 
     
     
         8 . The labelling machine according to  claim 7 , wherein
 the first and second guide wheels are connected to the guide shaft;   the first guide wheel is arranged to follow the first guide track and the second guide wheel is arranged to follow the second guide track; and   the first and the second guide wheels are arranged to ensure that the guide shaft has a defined angle at all angles of the drive shaft.   
     
     
         9 . The labelling machine according to  claim 8 , wherein the guide shaft is connected to angle gears and the angle gears are connected to the first end of the arm mechanism. 
     
     
         10 . The labelling machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the first and second guide tracks are configured to enable the arm mechanism to rotate 180° around a longitudinal axis of the arm mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The labelling machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the guide shaft is arranged to rotate 90° and the angle gears have a 1:2 gearing ratio. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The labelling machine according to  claim 7 , wherein the first and second guide tracks are arranged as two independent guide tracks, wherein at least one of the first guide track or the second guide track is connected to the housing to enable the arm mechanism to position the label pad in a label receiving position. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The labelling machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a joint to couple the arm mechanism to the label pad, the joint comprising an L-shaped tubular body. 
     
     
         16 . The labelling machine according to  claim 15 , wherein the joint is configured at one end to be inserted inside the arm mechanism and to rotate without air leakage when received inside the arm mechanism, and a second end of the joint is mechanically connected to a base portion of the label pad. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The labelling machine according to  claim 15 , including a resilient portion configured to assist in pulling the joint back to a home position after a label application. 
     
     
         19 . The labelling machine according to  claim 18 , wherein a transmission is provided between the actuator and the arm mechanism, the actuator being connected to the arm mechanism to enable rotation of the arm mechanism along a longitudinal axis of the arm mechanism, the transmission being configured to rotate the arm mechanism along the longitudinal axis of the arm mechanism when the actuator actuates the drive shaft to rotate the arm mechanism about the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft, the transmission comprising a first guide track and a second guide track, and the labelling machine including a latch configured to connect to the first guide track or the second guide track, the latch being configured to limit an angle of the rotation for the joint and to prevent over-extension of the resilient portion. 
     
     
         20 . The labelling machine according to  claim 18 , wherein the joint is 3-D printed in one piece and the resilient portion comprises an inbuilt 3-D printed spring. 
     
     
         21 . The labelling machine according to  claim 15 , wherein the joint is thinner and/or weaker than the arm mechanism. 
     
     
         22 . The labelling machine according to  claim 15 , wherein the joint enables the label pad to follow contours of an object during label application. 
     
     
         23 . The labelling machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor system configured to provide detection of presence and position of an object. 
     
     
         24 . The labelling machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive shaft is configured to rotate 360 degrees around the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. 
     
     
         25 . A print and apply system comprising a label printer and a labelling machine configured to apply a label on an object, the labelling machine comprising:
 an arm mechanism:   a label pad configured to temporarily retain a label, said label pad being attached to a first end of said arm mechanism;   an actuator connected to a first end of said arm mechanism to provide rotational movement of said arm mechanism;   a control system configured to control the movement and position of said arm mechanism and the label pad; and   an air flow generator;   
       wherein:
 the labelling machine further comprises a drive shaft connected to said actuator and configured to be rotated about a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft; 
 a second end of the arm mechanism is connected to said drive shaft, such that the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft and the arm mechanism are perpendicular to one another; and 
 an air flow channel extends from the air flow generator via the drive shaft, through the arm mechanism to the label pad.